The cold weather lessened a bit as he traveled toward Easthaven. The blizzard in the north hadn’t traveled this way yet. On the way, Elias had to contend with rain and the muddy trail that followed it. His first stop was at a popular spot for travelers to rest. Once there, as the afternoon started to turn to evening he set up camp for the night.
His travels over the next day took him through the familiar sights of the region and places he hadn’t seen in a long time. The trail opened up and he saw the cascading waterfalls now frozen and hardened in place. Wildlife native to the region left him alone in hibernation or searching for food elsewhere. Paths split off in multiple directions heading toward other villages in the mountains, but Elias’s path took him down the largest of these paths and down toward the base of the mountain.
As he descended further down the mountain, the air grew milder, and the snow and ice gradually gave way to a lush forest. The canopy of evergreen trees overhead provided a natural roof that shielded him from the persistent drizzle. The scent of pine and damp earth enveloped him, a stark contrast to the biting cold he had endured earlier. It was as if the world had transformed around him with every step he took.
He came across a small, meandering stream that glistened with a thin layer of ice, its surface reflecting the fading daylight. Elias knelt and cupped his hands, taking a sip of the crisp, clear water. The taste was pure and invigorating, a reminder of the simple pleasures that could be found in the wilderness.
At one of his stops, he heard the sound of people. He was off his horse when they came into view. Three men stood in rough clothes and cloth covering their faces. The man in the lead already had his sword out and turned it toward Eli.
“Let’s keep things simple and no harm will come to you today. No sudden movements or this sword will go through your heart. Step away from your horse and we will be searching for your bags.”
He eyed them and examined their weaponry and worth. Then he took a step back and started to comply with their orders. His hands dropped closer to his sides. The wind rustled the trees and then the bandit at the front blinked.
Elias’s sword was already halfway out of its sheath when his attackers reacted. The two in the back started to draw their swords. As he unsheathed his blade, his attackers, quicker than he anticipated, lunged forward. The first clash of swords sent a jarring sensation up Elias's arm, reminding him of his age. He grimaced, not from pain, but from the realization that he couldn't rely on the swiftness of his youth. With effort, he parried the next strike, using his experience to compensate for his diminished speed. His counter-attack was measured and precise, targeting the bandit’s shoulder with a calculated, albeit slightly delayed, strike.
The bandit cried out and dropped his weapon. Eli dislodged his sword by kicking the man away. He turned to the other two. Steadying his breath, he readied himself for the two blades coming at him from either side. Elias maneuvered with a deliberate twirl, his body reminding him of every battle it had endured over the years. Each movement was a battle against time, his skills rusted but not forgotten. His attacks, no longer the fierce flurry of his youth, were now more strategic and paced. He maintained a safe distance, keenly aware of his stamina limits, while carefully observing for an opening in their defense.
When their arms started to drop he struck out. With an upward slash, he pushed the bandit’s sword away and cut deep into the arm. It was followed up with a kick to the knee that brought him down. Another downward slash ended the man’s life.
Caught off-guard, the third bandit charged at Elias from behind, their bodies crashing to the snowy ground. The fall was harder than Elias remembered, his breath knocked out momentarily. As they wrestled for dominance, both swords were knocked away. The bandit, younger and quicker, reached his weapon first and managed to slice Elias's arm. Elias felt the sting sharply, a reminder of his vulnerability. He groaned in pain and used his strength to wrestle the sword from the man. He pushed back and tried to ignore the pain blossoming in him. With a final force of effort, he twisted his body and the arms of the bandit. He followed it up with a quick headbutt. It stunned the man and gave Elias enough time to free the weapon from the bandit.
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As Elias pushed himself upward a foot stomped down. Elias turned to see his horse. The attack wasn’t clean but did its job. Elias quickly pushed the man’s body off him. He used his weapon to stab the bandit. They didn’t struggle as they held their hands to their open neck. The man died after another slash of Elias’s sword. He next considered his clothes now sporting a new tear and spots of blood. The white snow was also speckled with red.
The forest was silent except for the rustling leaves and the distant chirping of birds. He approached the bandit leader cautiously, his sword still held firmly in his grip.
The bandit leader, realizing that his fate hung in the balance, tried to crawl backward, away from Elias. "Please, spare me," he pleaded, his voice quivering with desperation. Blood had started to soak his shirt a deep red.
Elias stopped just out of reach and stared down at the bandit with a cold, unwavering gaze. "You should have thought about that before you attacked me," he said, his voice low and filled with resolve.
Without hesitation, Elias raised his sword and brought it down swiftly, ending the bandit leader's life with a single, decisive stroke. Blood pooled around the fallen man, and the forest seemed to hold its breath in the aftermath of the violence.
Taking a moment to catch his breath and wipe the blood from his blade, Elias knew he had to act quickly. Setting his sword down on one of the rocks nearby he inspected his arm. He sighed and took off his torn shirt. It was quickly thrown in one of the bags on Thunderstruck.
The horse had waited silently through the ordeal. Elias grabbed some gauze from another pouch on Thunderstruck and sat down while applying it. He winced as he tightened the gauze around the wound. It would limit his arm’s upper mobility a little but as a whole, the injury would not last long with a healer soon tending to it in the city. Steam rose off his body as he felt the cold started to seep into his body. His old clothes now would serve as rags while he put on a new shirt. As he did so he traced some of the scars that covered his chest.
“Bandits this far north already. It is disappointing to see them travel beyond Easthaven’s borders. Maybe next time you can help and trample them,” he said while brushing Thunderstruck’s mane. “How about this? We ride through the night and then we can get you something special. The bandits won’t even be fast enough to catch us.”
Elias took a little time to go through the bandit’s things. Their pockets had a little coin and around the corner where they had hidden were their supplies which he happily added to his own.
Thunderstruck was happy to get moving and so was he. The bodies had been moved over to a corner of the stream, but the bloodstains were still stuck in the snow. They picked up pace once again and hit the road. As time went on and they got closer to the town the road was better maintained and built.
Elias and Thunderstruck continued their journey through the night, their pace swift and determined. The cold air bit at Elias's skin, but he welcomed the chill. It helped keep him alert and focused after the earlier skirmish with the bandits. The bandits were sadly a symptom of a bigger problem and growing issue. One that he hoped he could help with the assistance of the hero.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the snowy landscape. The only sound that broke the silence was the rhythmic pounding of Thunderstruck's hooves on the road. Elias could feel the powerful muscles beneath the horse's sleek coat working tirelessly, carrying them forward with grace and speed.
Elias thought about the city that lay ahead. It had been a long and arduous journey to get this far, and he could almost taste the warmth of a crackling hearth and the comforting embrace of a hot meal.
Elias patted the horse's neck affectionately. "We've been through a lot together, old friend," he murmured. "But we've always come out stronger on the other side."
The night wore on, and the city lights on the horizon grew brighter with each passing mile. As they approached, the road became wider and more well-lit. The signs of civilization became more apparent, and the dangers of the wilderness began to fade into memory. Elias and Thunderstruck finally reached the city gates, where guards stood watchful. They were granted entry without trouble, and Elias couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. The bustling streets, the sounds of laughter and commerce, and the welcoming glow of the city's lanterns greeted them in the early morning light.